The Chicago Cubs got off to a good start with a decisive 9-3 win over the Oakland A’s in the Cactus League opener.  Two important pitchers got off to good starts for the Cubs.  Randy Wells pitched 2 scoreless innings striking out 2 A’s batters, while Sean Marshall pitched 2 hitless and scoreless innings while striking out one.  Wells is locked in as the Cubs 3rd/4th starter, while Marshall is competing for a spot in the rotation and will end up in the bullpen if he doesn’t earn a starting spot.

Derrke Lee had 2 hits including a home run to lead off the club’s 4th inning.  Marlon Byrd and Sam Fuld also hit home runs in the win, while Starlin Castro showed off his speed with a triple in the 8th inning.

Good news all around Cubs fans.  Pitching is the key to any team’s chances of winning a pennant, so it’s good to see Wells and Marshall look sharp in their 1st appearances of the spring.